-1595- To find the key?

After that, a message spread throughout the human world.

"The research on the power beyond high-grade mana conducted in Mistgun encountered an accident. The mana reactor used in the research was obliterated in the incident, and the research has officially been declared a failure."

In less than a day, this message from Mistgun had spread to the entire human world.

Upon hearing this news, people were shocked.

"The research failed?"

"Wait, wasn't it reported earlier that the research had entered its final stage and was about to succeed?"

"How could it suddenly fail?"

Discussions about this message spread like wildfire.

Especially within Mistgun, people were astonished, and the news caused a huge commotion.

"Rozen senpai's research failed?"

"Impossible!"

"I clearly heard from the Alchemist Division that the research was almost complete, with no signs of failure. Why would it suddenly fail?"

"Exactly!"

No one could accept this outcome.

Not only the people of Mistgun, but even the Floating City Alliance of Vebel was stirred.

After all, in the previous incidents, the entire world had witnessed firsthand the power displayed by the humanoid Armored Beetles using Collapse Force, and also saw the strength of Special Unit S128 when using high-grade mana. Many were already moved by such power.

Knowing that Rozen was researching a power even greater than high-grade mana, countless people anticipated the impact this power would have on human society once it emerged.

Many even regarded it as humanity's hope, believing that the key to eliminating the Armored Beetles and reclaiming the earth lay in the emergence of this power.

Now, with the research suddenly declared a failure, not only the general populace but even The Pope, Annerose Sutherland Vebel, could no longer sit still. She personally came to Mistgun with Emilie Witbern and River Endycase as escorts to inspect the situation.

Upon arriving at Mistgun, everyone could only see an empty underground space. Not only was there no trace of foreign mana, but even the mana reactor had completely vanished.

Faced with this scene, no one could believe it, yet there was nothing they could do.

In the end, everyone had to admit that the research might have truly failed.

Even the students of the Alchemist Division reluctantly acknowledged this, despite their unwillingness.

Because none of them had stayed in the mana reactor until the end.

When Rozen saw that foreign mana was about to be successfully created, he had already dismissed everyone from the mana reactor, claiming that he had discovered some anomalies and that danger was likely.

Because of this, no one witnessed the birth of foreign mana. This excuse further convinced outsiders that the research into foreign mana had indeed failed.

"What a pity."

"It actually failed."

"Fortunately, Lord Arneet noticed the situation early and sent away the researchers."

"Otherwise, those researchers might have disappeared just like the mana reactor, right?"

"Yes."

People could only feel both regret and sorrow.

A technology that could have propelled humanity's magical advancements to a new level had vanished like smoke, leaving everyone disheartened.

Of course, some people, including Annerose, still harbored doubts.

For example, if the research failed and resulted in an accident capable of obliterating the mana reactor, how did Mistgun remain unharmed?

Given the scale of the mana reactor and the magnitude of the power being researched, if such a catastrophic accident had occurred, Mistgun should have been blown apart. At the very least, there should have been some irregularities, such as an earthquake, yet the mana reactor disappeared without a sound, arousing suspicion.

"Could it be that the research was actually successful, but Rozen doesn't want to reveal it?"

Many, including Annerose, couldn't help but think this way.

Those with heavy suspicions were inclined to believe that Rozen was attempting to monopolize the research results and had staged this event.

In response, Rozen simply threw out one statement:

"Believe it if you want."

After making this domineering declaration, Rozen turned and left, not giving anyone who doubted him any face.

Watching Rozen's departure, Annerose and the others were left speechless.

But upon further thought, they realized that Rozen likely didn't care whether others doubted him.

After all, no one could do anything to him, right?

Moreover, Rozen was now a hero of humanity, his popularity within the human world soaring to an overwhelming level. If anyone accused Rozen of monopolizing the research results for personal gain, even if that person were The Pope, they would probably be harshly criticized by the public.

"He's the hero who saved humanity!"

"How could he possibly monopolize the research results?"

"Besides, wasn't it Rozen-sama himself who organized the research?"

"Even if he took the research results, no one could say anything!"

"Exactly, exactly!"

That's what people believed.

This left those who doubted Rozen feeling very helpless, yet they realized that whether the research had truly failed or not, there was nothing they could do about it.

In the end, everyone had no choice but to swallow their suspicions and reluctantly accept this reality.

Naturally, many still wanted to know what Rozen would do next, given that the research had failed.

This question was answered within a few days by a message.

It came when Rozen was asked about his plans while still in Mistgun.

"In order to successfully manifest foreign mana, I will leave Mistgun and venture deep into the continent infested with Armored Beetles to find the key to making the research succeed."

This was the declaration Rozen made.

The entire human race was shocked.

Mistgun collectively erupted.

On this day, everyone was blown away.

Especially Rozen's acquaintances.

…

"Is this true, senpai?"

In Rozen's villa, he was confronted by a group of uninvited guests who had cornered him in the hall, receiving the urgent questioning of a junior.

The one questioning Rozen was Yuri.

"Are you really planning to leave Mistgun and go to the continent swarming with Armored Beetles?"

Yuri asked anxiously.

Besides Yuri, several others were present.

"You always make such shocking decisions."

"And now you're planning to venture into the continent's forbidden zone?"

"Really…"

Kanata, Chloe, and Mena were all there, casting complicated gazes at Rozen.

"Are you crazy?!"

"Wow…"

"Even I'm scared by your decision this time."

Misora, Lecty, and Rico were also present. One blurted out thoughtlessly, another was at a loss, and the last one sighed in frustration, clearly unable to accept this decision.

The last person present was Freon Flamel.

Freon merely frowned at Rozen.

"Are you really going to do this?"

Freon asked.

Rozen looked at everyone in front of him, silently sighing in his heart before firmly nodding his head.